Students Michaele Gorman and Linda Rogers win GMIT Development Chef of the Year

Culinary Arts Management degree students Michaele Gorman and Linda Rogers have been named the winners of the GMIT Development Chef of the Year 2017 competition in association with Blenders.

The win is the culmination of a year’s work by the students who are in the final of their Bachelor of Business in Culinary Arts Management degree  The event brings together modules in New Product Development, Business Creation, Business Plan, Visual Design and Sensory Analysis and Marketing Communications. The use of joint assessment across each of these modules provides the students with real life learning opportunities and prepares them for the fast paced world of food product development. 

“In groups of two or three, students were tasked with developing an innovative food product as well as a business plan and a detailed marketing proposition for their product,” explains lecturer Anne O’Leary.

Three groups, totalling seven students presented their ideas to a panel of judges which included Artie Clifford, Chairman of Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards; Tony Nolan, General Manager Musgrave Marketplace Galway; Mary O’Toole, Own Brand Trading Manager Musgrave; Julie Delany, Brand Manager Blenders and David Chandler, Sales Director Blenders.

The winning team’s project ‘Bare Necessities’ Porridge’ is a ready to eat on-the-go fruit-flavoured porridge that can be eaten hot or cold.  The range is made from natural and healthy ingredients and is dairy free with no added sugar or additives.  Flavours include Apple & Cinnamon, Strawberry, Raspberry & Coconut and Banana and Honey.  The product was well researched, the brand was well thought out and packaged and was presented with a clear business plan. 

All the entries were to a really high standard; Wee Bites, a healthy children snack and La De Da Farms Organic Piccalilli all did themselves and their lecturer’s credit with their projects.

David Chandler, Sales Director from Blenders commented “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Blenders GMIT Development Chef of the Year and we would like to thank the students and staff of the college for all their hard work that went in to creating a truly wonderful event.”

This year’s competition was open to 4th Year students undertaking the Product Development module as part of their Culinary Arts Degree.  All competitors received a commemorative chef jacket from Blenders for participating in the event and a bursary was awarded to the winning team.

For more information on GMIT’s Culinary Arts programmes, visit: http://www.gmit.ie/college-tourism-and-arts/college-tourism-arts